AstraZeneca falls as '04 EPS to be mid-range of view

LONDON (CBS.MW) -- AstraZeneca
AZN, -0.10%AZN, -0.61%
fell 1.8 percent in London as the pharmaceutical said it would post 2004 EPS around the middle of the $2.00 to $2.15 range it had earlier set out. At its business review meeting, it said Phase III programs for Cerovive and Galida are progressing well and said 60 percent more projects are in Phase II than a year ago. Of key drugs, Crestor share of new prescriptions was at 7.5 percent, a Nexium intravenous formluation is expected to be approved by the U.S. in early 2005 and Seroquel is set to become the top antipsychotic drug by total prescriptions.

Have breaking news sent to your inbox. Subscribe to MarketWatch's free Bulletin emails. Sign up here.

Intraday Data provided by SIX Financial Information and subject to terms of use. Historical and current end-of-day data provided by SIX Financial Information. All quotes are in local exchange time. Real-time last sale data for U.S. stock quotes reflect trades reported through Nasdaq only. Intraday data delayed at least 15 minutes or per exchange requirements.